Power Module for Operating an Electric Vehicle Drive with an Intermediate Circuit Capacitor

Abstract

A power module (10) for operating an electric vehicle drive includes a current input configured for supplying an input current. The current input includes multiple contact elements (182, 184). Multiple circuit-breakers (142, 144) are configured for generating an output current based on the supplied input current. A current output (192) is configured for outputting the output current at a consumer. A substrate (12) includes a metal layer (122-130) and an insulating layer (121) connected to the metal layer (122-130). The multiple circuit-breakers (142, 144) are arranged on the metal layer (122-130). The multiple contact elements (182, 184) are also arranged on the metal layer (122-130) such that the multiple contact elements (182, 184) extend perpendicular to a surface of the substrate (12).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application is related and has right of priority to German Patent Application No. 102020212748.4 filed in the German Patent Office on Oct. 8, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to the field of electromobility, in particular of the power modules for operating an electric drive for a vehicle.BACKGROUND[0003]Power modules, in particular integrated power modules, are being used to an increasing extent in motor vehicles. These types of power modules are used, for example, in DC / AC inverters, which are utilized for energizing electric machines, such as electric motors, with a multiphase alternating current. In the process, a direct current generated by a DC energy source, for example, a battery, is converted into a multiphase alternating current. The power modules are based on power semiconductors, in particular transistors such...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention aims to protect power semiconductors from voltage peaks during switching on and off to improve the performance of power modules. The contact elements of the current input and circuit-breakers are arranged on the first metal layer of the substrate, which reduces the distance between them. This reduces the leakage inductance of the electrical lines and reduces the probability and magnitude of voltage peaks that may cause circuit-breakers to blow. This results in improved power module functionality, particularly when using WBG semiconductor materials that provide faster switching times.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, the power modules known from the prior art have the disadvantage that the short switching times of the utilized semiconductor materials induce high voltages in these power modules in the presence of leakage inductance prevailing in the power lines of the power module during the switching on and off of the circuit-breakers.

High voltages can cause the circuit-breakers and / or the power semiconductors contained therein to blow and, thereby, become adversely affected.

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